Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD – The annual Lancaster ISD Black History Bowl Competition will be held Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 9 AM at the Lancaster High School Auditorium located at 200 E. Wintergreen Rd. Lancaster, Texas.

The Black History Bowl will feature 14 junior division teams and 10 senior division teams competing in their knowledge of African-American history and culture. In addition to the history bowl competition, 75 students from the Lancaster ISD Fine Arts program will showcase their culturally inspired artwork in the newly added Black History Art Contest.

The student artwork will be on display in the Lancaster High School foyer during the history bowl competition for public view.

The goal of this community event is to increase exposure and raise awareness of the African American Heritage in the community and schools. The student teams were assigned coaches from their campus in November and have spent the last three months studying facts and learning about African American Culture.

Lancaster ISD employees and community members will serve as judges for the Black History Bowl and Art Show Contest. The top three finishers of both competitions will be awarded after the final round of the Black History Bowl and will get to participate in a summer history tour field trip sponsored by Lancaster ISD.

"By participating in this event, our students gain knowledge of African American history and culture and insight into the African American involvement in the development of America," Connie Isabell, Lancaster ISD Chief Academic Officer, said. "They sharpen their research skills, increase their collaboration and communication skills by working on a team and use their creativity and critical thinking skills. All of these elements help to building self-esteem in our students and provide them with more than a diploma."

Winners of each contest division will also be honored at a reception on Wednesday, February 24, from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Rocky Crest Museum located inside of J.D. Hall Learning Center at 602 E. Second Street, Lancaster, Texas.

Parents, students and community members are all invited to attend the Black History bowl and art show contest, which is a free family event. For more information, please visit www.lancasterISD.org.